Excavator.



L. P. CLUTTER.

EXGAVATOB.

APPLICATION FILED 11111:: 11, 1911.

1, 1 07,899. Patented Aug. 18, 1911 5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

l'VlT/VESSES: [NVEN TOR.

L. P C 1. u T1171.

' A TTORNEYS L. P. GLUTTER.

EXGAVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1911 1,107,899. Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

5 SHBETS-SHEBT 2.

m {@3 a q In N a Q g s I WITNESSES N INVENTOR.

L.PCLUTTER I I kmai L.. P. GLUTTBR.

EXOAVATOB.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1911.

1,107,899. Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

(Luv-TEFL A TTORNE Y5 L. P. GLUTTBR.

EXCAVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1911.

1 1 07,899, Patented Aug. 18, 1914 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES INVENTO/c.

LUTTE L. P. GLUTTER.

EXOAVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1911.

v1 1(] '7' 899 Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

5 snnnws--s1inm 5.

.: To all whom it may cancem:

. um'ran STATES PATENT OFFICE.

mam: r. cm'rran, ornate ticmrarusxtvama nxcavaron Be it known that I,Lnnor P. Onvrmn, a citizen of the United States of America, residing atDeer Lick, in the county of Greene and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Exorator withoutaffecting theoperation of the motor. (3) To provide a device adapted forpivotal movement on a vertical axis and having a beam ivoted on ahorizontal axis to form a way or atraveling excavatingbucket, the beamand the bucket being controllably moved through independent connectionsfrom a single shaft. (4) To provide a device of this character in whichthe movements of the excavating bucket and the beam on which it travelsare controllable independently of each other and from approximately thesame point; also to provide means for moving the beam and its bucketbodily on a pivotal axis, with the operating mechanism for providingsuch movements in fixed position. (5) To provide improvements of thesupport for the excavating bucket whereby the ucket may be positionablein parallelism with or angularly to the direction of length of thesupport for the bucket. 56) To provide an improved excavating buc (ctadapted to ermit of a dumping of the material at wi l. (7) To provide animproved mechanism for steadying the device, said mechanism beingmovable into and out of an operative position without removal from theap aratus. V

ther objects are to provide a device of this character which is composedmainly of metallic beamsof ordinary cross-sectional configuration, toprovide a built-up structure of exceeding strength and of few parts, all

arranged compactly and-of a stren th adapted to withstand rough usageand the strains to which a device of thistype is-put; also to rovide adevice which is simple and eflicient 1n operation, durable inconstruction, readily Specification of Letters Patent. Application filedJune 17, 1 1- enal H 633.668.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

repaired, and which can be manufactured and installed at a relativelylow cost.

To these, and other ends, the nature of h which will be readilyunderstood as my in vention, is hereinafter disclosed, said inventionconsists in the improved construction and combination of partshereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings,and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference charactersindicate similar parts in each of the views Figure 1 .is a view.

in side elevation of my device applied to the frontof a portable engine,the excavator bucket audits supporting beam being shown as Slightly i d.Fig. 2 is a front elevation:- of the same with the bucket and the supoitsz ing frame shown as swung to one si e, the supporting beam beingshown in substantially horizontal position. Fig. 3 is a view in sideelevation similar to Fig. 1, with the bucket carrying beam raised andomitting the side supports for the device. Fig. 4 is a front elevationshowing the parts on a slightly enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a view partlyinsection showing the means for con.- necting the pull ropes to thedrive shaft. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-- 6 of Fig.5. Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of portions of the deviceshowing the operating mechanism for operating the pull ropes or cables,and the means for providing the pivotal movements to the apps ratus.Fig. 8 IS a detail view showing the mechanism for controlling themovements of themechanism by means of which the apparatus is movedpivotally. Fig. 9 is a detail view showing the excavating bucket inlongitudinal section, and its mounting on the beam on which-it issupported, the latter parts being shown in elevation. Fig. 10 is a topplan view of rtions of the structure shown in Fig. 9.

takeuon the 'ne 11--11, Fig. 10. Fig. "12 is ig.'11 isa sectional view.

a detail view in elevation of a portion-ofthe steadyingdevice. Fig. 13is 'a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is asectional view taken on the line 14-14, Fig;

13. Fig. 15 is a sectional plan of a port/ion. of the machine. 1 1

The present invention is designedmore' j particularly as anattaohmentcapable of be' in'g placed in position at the front or other convenientpoint of a suitable motor, preferablyof a. portable or traction steamengine a therefrom so as to place the ing positioned approximatelymidway of the distance between said beams, but spaced pintle in advanceof the cross-beam 21.

Secured to the beams and extending vertically therefrom and spaced from"the front ends thereof are vertical uprights 23 which are connectedtogether at their upper ends by a suitable brace 24%, these partsforming the rear frame of the apparatus. Extending vertically from saidbeams 20 at a point adjacent the front ends of said beams are two-partuprights 25, each of said uprights extending in two vertical planessubstantially parallel but spaced apart, the lower part of theseuprights extending on a plane inside of the plane of the upper part, asindicated in Fig. 2, said parts being connected together by suitableplates or other connections 26, the structure being such as to provide afront frame for the apparatus, the lower part of which frame is of alength between the upright portions less than the length between theupper portions of the up rights. Said uprights of the front frame arealso connected at their tops by a brace The two frames are connected bybraces 28.

Rising vertically in the plane of the front frame and. intermediate theupright members forming said frame, are two spacedapart bars or members30 which are secured to the top and bottom braces of said frame, andsecured to the front of said bars or members adjacent the top brace 27is one of the members of a top pivotal connection 31, presentlydescribed, the pintles of the top connection 31 and pintle member 22having their axes substantially in vertical alinement in order that theswinging portion of the apparatus presently described may beswung on asubstantially vertical axis, which axis corresponds to the axis of acircular member 32 positioned at the top of the apparatus and which isadapted to rovide the turning movements of the shifbable portion of theapparatus.

The shiftable portion of the apparatus is connected to the frame workabove described by means of the complemental members of the pivotalconnections referred to, said complemental members being carried by avertical upright 33 suitably formed, but preferserves as a connectingand bracingv ably comprising two metallic bars spaced apart with thehinge members extending therebetween and secured in such position. Theupper end of the upright 33 is provided with a horizontal member 34L tothe top surface of which the circular member 32 is secured, saidniemberjd projecting forwardly beyond said circular member and havingits forward end secured to and inclined to a beam or member 35 inclinedto the vertical and having its lower end secured to the lower end of theupright 33, said beam 35 being also preferably formed of metallic beamsspaced apart-,... in order to provide strength with lightness. The upperend of said beam or member 35 carries the sheave or pulley 36 over whichone of the pull ropes or cables hereinafter referred to passes, thestructure being such that said beam 35 retains its position relative tothe vertical upright 33, regardless of the pivotal movements of theshifting apparatus.

Pivotally secured at the lower end of the u right 33 is the supportingbeam or carrier 3'? for the excavating bucket, said beam beingpreferably formed as indicated in Figs. 9-, 10, and 11, consistingprincipally of a metallic beam preferably composed of, two spaced-apartmembers secured together, the lower flanges of said beam forming arunway on which the bucket travels. The outer end of said beam isprovided with a sheave or pulley 38 over which the pull rope or cablefor the movements of the bucket passes. Said front end is also providedwith a suitable member such as an eye 39, to which the outer end of thepull rope or cable for controlling the movements of the beam 37 issecured in a suitable manner.

The parts heretofore described comprise the main portion of the framework of both the stationary and the shiftable portions of the derrick.As will be readil understood, the shiftable portion is so 'ormed as topermit of a swinging or pivotal movement bodily on the upper and lowerpivotal connections 22 and 31, While the supporting beam 37. may. beraised or lowered on its pivot while at the same time provision is madefor moving the bucket lengthwise of said. beam, these being all of themovements of the swinging portion of a derrick required to perform thedesired work, and the construction is such that the parts are of amaximum strength without an increase in weight of material, while all ofthe parts are so braced as to withstand all strains, etc., to which theymay be subjected in the operation of the apparatus.

The excavating bucket, designated as 40,

is preferably formed as shown in Fig. 9,

consisting of a bottom d1, pivotally con-.

nected with the forward end of a wall 42 rising vertically from theplane of the bottom in closed osition, said wall 42 extending around sustantially three sides of the periphery of the bottom, leaving the frontopen, opposite sides being preferably 1nclined, as shown, the outer faceof the wall 42 and the peripher of the bottom belng on an approximatep)ane to rovide a structure in which the ottom ies against the underedge of the wall 42. The bottom is provided at its front with aplurality of teeth or fingers 43, which are adapted to act in advance ofthe front edge of the bottom in loosening the material being operatedupon. The front edge of the bottom may be straight or curved in itsdirection of length as may be desired, it being understood t at thematerial taken up by the bottom in the movements of the bucket will becarried backward into the interior of the bucket, as

the latter is given its forward movement in operation. I

The bucket is secured on the carrier beam 37 by means of a sup ortingframe com-' the composite beam 37, and in addition to this constructiona, further support is rovided by a U-shaped frame 47 adapts to straddlethe underface ofthe beam 37 and having its ends formed with bearingsadapted to can wheels or rollers 48 which also travel on t e runway ofthe beam at a point spaced from and in rear of the wheels 46. TheU-shaped frame 47 is supported in proper position through suitablesupports 49 extending from the lower portion of the wall 42 to the shaftfor the roller 48, and additionally by means of an adjustable connectingrod 50, the rear end of which is carried by the shaft for the roller 48while the forward end extends through an opening formed in an anglebracket 51 carried by the bar 44, the rod 50 having its forward endscrew-threaded and being provided with nuts 52 located on each side ofthe bracket 51, this articular construction permitting of variations inthe inclination of the bottom of the bucket in normal position, it beingreadily understood that an adjustment of the nuts 52 will cause theupper portion of the bucket to be shifted longitudinally of the beamwithout aflecting the position of the lower portion, thereby permittingthe bottom to extend in a plane parallel or inclined to the direction oflength of the beam, as may be desired.

For the purpose of retaining the U-shaped frame or yoke 47 in position,I preferably connect it tothe supports 49. This particular constructionprovides a carrier for the bucket in which the weight of the load isplaced on both airs of rollers or wheels, the weight on the orwardpair46* prov1d1ng a downward pressure on thelowenflange of the beam 37,while the rear-pair er rollers 48 receive the thrust provided -bytheload (the rollers 46 acting in the nature 'of a pivot for the entirebucket structurey-and' placing the pressure m an u ward-directionagainst timeto permit of a relatively free movement of the carria eformed by the two pairs of rovided is such as to resist the pressure 0the load, and at the same T rolls longitu inally of the beam the resultbeing that a maximum load can 1e manipu lated in any desired mannerwithout lacing an excessive strain on the apparatus or providing suchmovements. The bottom, as

heretofore stated, is pivotall cpnnected to the wall 42 at the forwarden 5 of such wall.

To retain it normally closed, I preferably form an opening at asuitablepoint at the bottom of the wall 42 and mount a spring pressedcatch member 53 at a point where its hook will enga e a complementalmember 54 carried b t e bot-tom, this construction providing or a normalengagement of parts to retain the bottom closed. To permit the bottom toswing free a ro e or cable 55 is secured to the catch 53 an led backwardto a point convenient to the o erator who, when he desires to dump theucket, simply draws upon the rope or cable'55, and releases the catchmember 53 ermitting the bottom to dro and dump t e load. For the purpose0 returning the bottom to its normal position after dumping, anysuitable means may be provided, but I prefer to con-' nect the bottom tothe cable 55 by a short cable 56, the connections being such that whenthe bottom has been swung open the operator may draw upon the cable 55and swing the bottom to its normal position where the catch members 53and'54 will automatically enga e. As the bottom swings forwardly upon te-pivot at the forward end of the bucket, the cable 56 willbe carriedtherewith. When the bottom is open and it be desired to close it bypullingrearwardly uponthe cable 55, it is obvious that the cable 56 willbe carried therewith, the latter drawing the bottom to closed positionand to a position where the bottom can be engaged by the catch wherebythe bottom will be maintained closed.

For the purpose of providing the various movements to the shiftableportion of the derrick I preferably provide the following: 57 desi notesa shaft extending laterally across t e stationary frame and preferablyin juxtaposition to the front upright frame, which shaft is providedwith a drive pulley 58 connected to the motor in a suitable manner Theshaft 57 extends entirely across the frame and 1S provided'wwith a pairof wheels 59, 60 keyed or otherwise suitably secured, each of saidwheels being periphec' ally beveled, as shown in l ig. 5, for thepurpose of cooperating with; complementnl members 61, 62 loosely mountedon the shaft,- each of said members being in the form of a circular webhaving a flared periphery or apron, said apron normally overlying itswheel 59 or 60, as shown in Fig. 5. The members 61 and 62 are looselymounted on the shaft 57 and are adapted to be coupled together bymovements axially of the shaft 1 provided by an arm 6;? pivoted at oneend to member 61,. or 62, as the case may be, the

till

construction being such that movements of the bell crank lever willcause a frictional engagement or disengagement between the complementalmembers of the coupling indi cated at 59 and 61 or 60 and 62, suchengagement causing the memberbl or 62 to be driven by the shalt 57, arelease of such on gagement destroying such drive connection. The hub ofeach of the members 61 and 62 is preferably provided with sprocket teethtorthe purpose oi driving a sprocket chain adapted to operate suitablewinding structure, a preferred type of which is shown-in the drawing andwhich comprises a shaft 67 forming the drive shaft and on which asprocket wheel 68 is mounted and connected to the member 61 or 62, asthe case may be. Said shait is also provided with a pinion 69' adaptedto engage with a gear 70 mounted on a shaft 71 carrying a winding drum72 upon which the rope or cable is adapted to be wound or unwound.

As heretofore set forth, thereare two independent movements of parts,via, a movement of the excavating bucket longitudinally oi. the beam 37,and a movement of the beam 37 on its pivot. Inasmuch as independentmovements may be required, each movement is provided by a separatewinding mechanism and these winding mechanisms are prefera ly arrangedas shown in Fig, l, the mechanism for moving the beam 37 on its pivotbeing preferably located above the shaft 57, while the mechanism formoving the bucket longitudinally of the beam is located below suchshaft, this particular con struction permitting of the use of the twodriving members 59 and 60 on the same shaft and independentlyconnectible to a winding mechanism, the sprocket connections beingarranged on the outer sides of the coupling devices,

' 73 designates the winding cable for the beam 37,-said cable having oneend secured to the eye ah/the cable passing over the sheave or pulley 36and two idler ulleys 74: and 7-5 carried respectively by .t e upright 33and members 80, to the winding drum 7 2 of the mechanism operated by thewheel 59 (the upper mechanism). ignates the winding cable for thebucket, which cable has its front end connected to the base 14, as shownin Fig, 9, and is then carried forward to the end of the beam 37, overthe pulley 38 and reaiwvard over idler pulleys 77 and 7 8, respectively,to the winding drum 7-2 of the lower mechanism. By this construction itwill be seen that both of the cables 73, 76 are so arranged that 76desthe point on which the shiitable portion or vthe derrick is pivotedis so positioned as to have the axis of the pivotalconnections ea tendthrough that portion of the two cables which lie between the pulleys 7dand 7 5 and the pulleys 77 and 78, respectively, so that the pulleys and78 do not change their positions during the swinging movements of thederrick, while the pulleys 7d and 77 swing with the derriclr and withoutafiecting the cables, this shifting movement being possible withoutliability of the cables passing from the pulleys 74c and 7 7 For thepurpose of operating the two cable winding mechanisms previouslydescribed, ll employ two levers 7 9 and 80, the former being connectedto and adapted to operate a sleeve 81, suitably supported for pivotalmovement on the rear uprights, and carrying an arm 82 which is adaptedto connect with the bell crank lever 65 through a linlr 83 of themechanism for operating the lower winding mechanism, said lever 75having a suitable latch device for retaining it in adjusted position.i'lhe lever is connected to a shaft 84 extending through the sleeve 81andv connected to the bell crank lever of the upper winding mechanism ina manner similar to the connection of the sleeve 81 to its particularmechanism, thelever 80 also having latching mechanism for the purpose ofretaining the parts in adjusted position.

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 5, the member 61 is movable axiallyto place it in driven engagement with the wheel 59, the engagementproviding a friction drive between the parts and serving to wind thecable on the-drum When this frictional en-' gagement is broken by movingthe member 61 axially in the opposite direction, the en tire windingmechanism is released and the cable is permitted to run out freely underthg weight of the parts connected to the ca le.

mechanism in a fixed position, ll preferably employ one or more blocks85, theinner faces ct which are engaged by'thexme'mber In order toretainthe winding J 61 when the latter is drawn-away from the wheel 59 to itsgreatest extent, the movements of the'lever 80 controlling the-degree ofpressure between the member 61 and the blocks 85, this latter provisionbeing made for the purpose of providing either simply a brake mechanismor an absolute stop, depending upon the degree of pressure applied bythe member '61 onto the face of the blocks 85. It is to be understood(andthis will be apparent from Fig. 4) that a similar construction andoperation .is provided in connection with the wheel 60;

From the above description, it will be seen that when it is desiredtoprovide a sequence of operations to the parts, all mechanismforproviding these operations is controlled from a point where theservices of but a single operator are required.

Owing to the many uses to which the device may be employed, and the manyvarieties of operations which may be practised, all of the descriptionsof operations are not set forth; a few examples, however, are 'ven.

A er the apparatus has been moved into the desired location for thepurpose of excavating by carrying the bucket vertically against a wallwhich may be found in front of the. bucket, the beam 37 is lowered byreleasing the holding mechanism provided by the lever 80 which allowsthe forwardi end of the beam to move downward to the: desired point, atwhich point the lever 80 is again manipulated to bring the member 60.into tight frictional engagement with its holding blocks 85. The bucket,which has its bottom in closed position, is then moved forwardly on thebeam 37 by actuating the lever 79 tothrowthe member 62 into contact withthe wheel 60 and throwing the lower winding mechanism into operation.The bucket moves forwardly until it reaches a desired position and intocontact with the wall which is being operated upon, whereupon bothmechanisms may be brought into operation with the result that the beam37 is moved vertically and at the same time the bucket is drawn towardthe outer end of the: beam, thus causing the bucket to penetrate thewall and at the same time to be moved upwardly therein until the buckethas been filled, whereupon the lever 79 may be manipulated to permit thebucket to reverse its direction of movement on the beamand be withdrawnfrom the wall. The beam 37. isv

tion where it will be positioned over theoint where the load is to bedropped, such,

manipulated by thefo rater toclose the bottom 41),; whereupon ropermanipulation of the-levers'and the 'evlce for moving the ?paratuspivotally (firesently describe the parts are return to apositionready'to take up-a new load.

As will, be readily understood, the lever manipulations may be entirelyseparate from each other or combined,- the twoindepivotal connectionsunder the control of the operator, I preferabl employ the followingmechanism: Mounte projects above the plane ofthe upper ends of saiduprights and is provided with a sprocket wheel 87, with which a sprocketchain 88 coiiperates, said chain having its ends connected to theperiphery of the circular member 32', the construction being such thatupon a rotation of the shaft 86, said member 32 will be given a pivotalmotion on an axis extendmg in a plane corresponding to the axis of thepivotal connection for the shiftable .portion of the apparatus. For thepurpose of roviding rotation of the' shaft, 86, I

pre erably employ power from the main drive shaft, through the medium ofa worm and. worm gear connection carried respectively by a shaft 89 andthe shaft 86, as shown in Fig. 7, the shaft 89 carrying a wheel 90located between the wheels 59 and 60 but positionable out of contactwith both. The shaft 89 is mounted in a bearing 91 which is slidable ona suitable support so as to shift-the wheel 90 into engagement witheither of the wheels 59 and 60, the sliding movement of the' shaftbearing being rovlded through a suitable lever connec ion shown in Fig.8 in which a lever 92 is connected to the bearing through the medium ofa-link connection 93, the lever having a pawl structure by means ofwhich the bearmg may be held in any of its adjusted positions. By thisparticular construction, it will be understood that the normal positionof the wheel 90am be at apoint out of contact with either of the wheels59 or 60,-'in which position the shiftable portion of the apparatus isheld against rotation by reason of the worm and worm gear structurewhich would prevent any shifting of such portion of. the ap aratus onits pivot. When it is desired to sh these parts, the lever 92 iso'p'eratedto at one r on suitable braces connectm the rear uprights 23is a verticallexten mgshaft 86, the. upper end. of whic er that theshiftable portion of the which direction it is desired that the shiftingportion of the apparatus shall move; when the deslred pSlt1OIr-1Sreached the lever 92 is moved back to its initial position,

thereby disconnecting the wheel from its drive wheel (the wheel 59 or60, as the case may be), leaving the parts in their proper adjustedposition. 1

l Aswill be readily understood, the relative lightness of the apparatusemployed compared with the heavy strains and pressures placed thereon inoperation, will tend to cause vibrations to the apparatus. To avoidthese as much as possible, 1 preferably one-- ploy a steadying apparatusby means of which lateral vibrations are reduced to the minimum, Themeans for steadying the apparatus comprises two devices which aresubstantially duplicates, one being secured to each side of thestationary portion of the apparatus. The specific structure of the devices is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 2, 12, 13 and 1t, andsince the devices are substantially duplicates, a description oi onewill sufiice.

Secured to the upright 25, at a point adjacent its top, are two plates94,-, the lower ends of which are bolted to two spaced-apart bars and toa brace member 96 extending laterally across and projecting outside orthe uprights 25, the plates 9% and brace member 95, providing a stiflframe or support for the bars 95, each or which is provided withspace-depart openings 97 to permit of adijustinent in the position ofthe bars relative to the saidlframe, Adjacent to the lower ends the bars95 are connected together in spaced-apartrelation by suitable straps 98.

(in the opposite edge of said bars, each is provided with inwardlyextending projecting portions 99 which, in connection with the'straps;98, complete a slideway for an adjustable member or bar 100havingits lower end pivotally connected to a plate 101 preferably havingits corners bent downwardly as shownin Figs. 12 and 13. At a suitablepoint in the length of said bar 100 I preferably provide a plurality ofratchet teeth indicated at 102, whichare adapted to be engagedby eitherone of two pawls103 mounted on a pin 10d carried in brackets 105'pmitioned on the bars 95, said pawls being of difierent length so as topermit of adjustment of the bar 100 in the direction of length of thebars 95 in relatively small distances without the necessit of a lar enuniher of ratchet teeth, thereby enabling of the formation ot'teeth ofsuficient size to retain the parts in. adjusted position. The plate 101is also pivotally connected to a brace 106 which; has its rear endpivotally connected to thestatipnary itrame oi the apparatus, said basebeing formed in two parts in the nature of a toggle device, one of theparts being or": relatively short length.

lln use, the partsare arranged as shown in full lines in Fig, 2, withthe plate 101 in contact with the ground, the brace 106 having its partsin alinement; by manipulating the pawls 103, the proper adjustment as tolength between the ground and the upper end of the steadying device issecured with sutliciently close accuracy as to prevent lateral swayingoi the apparatus in use When it is desired to release the steadyingdevice, it is necessary only to release the engagemerit between theactive pawl 108 and the rack termed by the ratchet tooth 102, whereuponthe bar 100 may be moved longitudinallyoii the bars 95 to the positionshown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the brace 106 having its form changedto permit it to assume the position shown in said dotted lines. Thislatter position removes the steadying device to an out of the wayposition. As these devices are duplicated on opposite sides oi theapparatus, it will be readily understood that the apparatus is firmlyheld against. lateral swaying or substantial vibratory movement and byreason of its resence, pro vides an apparatus structure relatively lightand of a minimum weight. This particular structure is especially adaptedfor use in connection with apparatus being used where the ground is nothard and where'there is a tendency oi the apparatus to sink. in suchcase the swinging of the beam 37 laterally has the efi'ect of causing apressure to be placed on the side to which the beam is being swung. Whenthis action takes lace,

it the surface of the ground on who the plate 101 rests is notsuficiently hard to sustain such pressure, the plate will tend to sinkunder this pressure and upon the return movement of the beam, which hasthe ezdect of releasing a portion of this pressure, the upper portion ofthe apparatus will tend to draw the outer casing provided by the members95 upwardly relatively to the bar 100 thereby permitting a pawl toengage a difiier'ent notch and thus automatically take up for anysagging or sinhng oi the plate in use, so that in operation any tendencyof the apparatus to rock due to the sinking of the plates will becorrected and practically eliminated by the successive operation of thebeam in this respect, thus eliminating any requirement for the use ofjacks or any similar mechanism for the purpose of retaining the partssteady.

a While l have herein presented and described a preferred form forcarrying my the right to claim any and all such changesand modificationsas may be found necessary and advisable, so long as such changes andmodifications fall within the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:--

I. In excavating apparatus, a "frame pivoted on a vertical axis, abucket support pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis and having its outerside faces formed to provide a runway longitudinally of the support, anexcavating bucket having rollers mounted in said runways, said rollersbeing located in rear of and spaced from said bucket.

2. In excavating apparatus, a frame pivoted on a vertical axis, a bucketsupport pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis and having its outer sidefaces formed to provide a runway longitudinally of the support, anexcavating bucket having rollers mounted in said runway, said rollersbeing arranged in pairs spaced apart in the direction of length of therunway and positioned in rear of the bucket.

33. In excavating apparatus, a frame pivoted on a Vertical axis, abucket support pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis and having its outerside faces formed to provide a runway longitudinally of the support, anexcavating bucket having rollers mounted in said runway, said rollersbeing arranged in pairs spaced apart in the direction of length of therunway, and means for adj usting the distance between the pairs ofrollers, said adjustment controlling the relationship of the linescorresponding to the direction of length of the bucket and of thesupport.

1. In excavating apparatus, a frame pivoted on a vertical axis, a bucketsupport piv oted thereto on a horizontal axis and having its outer sidefaces formed to provide a runway longitudinally of the support, an ex-:avating bucket having arms connected respectively to the top and bottomof the rear of the bucket, the lower arms extending rearwardly at anangle to place the rear ends at a point in rear of and spaced from theother arms, each of said arms carrying a roller, and adjustableconnections between said arms.

5. In an excavating apparatus, an excavatin bucket having a bottompivoted adjacent file front of the bucket and being provided withforwardly extending fingers, a catch device at the rear of the bucketand adapted to normally hold the bottom in place, and an operating polerope connected to said catch device and adapted to release the bottom atwill, said rope being also loosely connected to the bottom for thepurpose of swinging the latter to its normal position after beingopened.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature 4 in the presence of twowitnesses.

LEROY I. CLUTTER.

Witnesses:

Max 11. SRoLovrr', Crnusrma T. Hoot).

